“Mr Saddam maintained his hunger strike for 11 days but was forced to end it for health reasons,” said Mr Dulaimi, who met Mr Saddam for seven hours in Baghdad on February 26.

Mr Saddam staged a hunger strike to protest against his court proceedings.

Lawyer Dulaimi said US prison officials intervened with defense lawyers to end Mr Saddam's strike to “prevent any adverse health impact”, adding that the toppled leader had lost some weight but did not elaborate.

Reuters